Battery powered fishing reel

Abstract

A portable hand held type fishing reel having a motor operably connected with the spool member of the reel for facilitating winding of the fishing line onto the spool without interference with the normal operation of the fishing reel, the motor being operably connected with a switch by a battery pack which may be remotely disposed with respect to the reel, a drive assembly connected with the spool member and selectively operable upon energization of the motor for winding of the line onto the spool, the drive assembly including a pivotal lever having a normal position wherein the drive connection between the motor and spool is disengaged and selectively movable to provide an engaged position between the motor and spool, the lever being particularly designed whereby the driving engagement between the motor and spool is achieved prior to energization of the motor to substantially preclude accidental damage of the engaged driving elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fishing reel comprising spool means having a line wound thereon, drive means operably connected with the spool means for selective actuation thereof to facilitate winding of the line thereon, said drive means comprising power means secured in the proximity of the spool means, gear train means interposed between the power means and the spool means and having alternate engaged and disengaged positions for providing the selective activation of the spool means in one direction upon energization of the power means, switch means operably connected with the power means for energization thereof, lever means interposed between the power means and switch means and operably connected with the gear means, the lever means being selectively movable for providing the engaged and disengaged positions of the gear train means and intermittent actuation of the switch means for intermittent energization of the power means, and wherein the lever means carries at least one gear of the gear train means and includes means for engaging the switch means whereby the one gear is brought into operative engagement with the gear train prior to engagement of the switch means. 
     
     
       2. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the gear train means includes a drive gear means mounted on the lever means, a driven gear means operably connected with the spool means for actuation thereon in one direction for winding the line onto the spool means, and belt and pulley means operably connected between the power means and the drive gear means for rotation of the drive gear means upon energization of the power means. 
     
     
       3. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the gear train means includes a first gear member operably connected with the spool means for actuation thereof in one direction for winding the line onto the spool means, a second gear member journalled on the lever means and intermittently engageable with the first gear member for transmitting rotation thereto upon energization of the power means, a third gear journalled on the lever means in meshing engagement with the second gear member, a fourth gear journalled on the lever means in substantial axial alignment with the third gear member and rotatable simultaneously therewith, and a fifth gear member operably engaged with the fourth gear member and operably connected with the power means for rotation upon energization thereof. 
     
     
       4. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the power means comprises an electric motor connected with the switch means by battery means. 
     
     
       5. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 5 wherein the battery means is remotely disposed with respect to the fishing reel. 
     
     
       6. A fishing reel comprising spool means having a line wound thereon, drive means operably connected with the spool means for selective actuation thereof to facilitate winding of the line thereon, said drive means comprising power means secured in the proximity of the spool means, gear train means interposed between the power means and the spool means and having alternate engaged and disengaged positions for providing the selective activation of the spool means in one direction upon energization of the power means, switch means operably connected with the power means for energization thereof, lever means interposed between the power means and switch means and operably connected with the gear means, the lever means being selectively movable for providing the engaged and disengaged positions of the gear train means and intermittent actuation of the switch means for intermittent energization of the power means, the power means comprising an electric motor connected with the switch means by battery means, and wherein the lever means carries at least one gear member of the gear train and is pivotal to provide alternate disengaged and engaged positions of the said one gear with the gear train, the engaged position of the gear with the gear train being achieved prior to activation of the switch means for energization of the motor.